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Image forming apparatus, toner cartridge, and development cartridgeRelated Patent Categories: Electrophotography, Machine Operation, Electrical ConnectionImage forming apparatus, toner cartridge, and development cartridge description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060193652, Image forming apparatus, toner cartridge, and development cartridge. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-53069 filed Feb. 28, 2005, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus of an electronic photographic type, in which an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image bearing body is developed into a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium, and to a toner cartridge and a development cartridge that can be used in the image forming apparatus. BACKGROUND [0003] There has been proposed an image forming apparatus of a type that includes: an electrostatic latent image bearing body such as a photosensitive body having a surface, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a toner cartridge containing toner; a developing member such as a developing roller for supplying toner from the toner cartridge to the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing body, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; and a transfer member such as a transfer roller for transferring the toner image from the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing body to a recording medium. In the image forming apparatus of this type, after an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing body, the developing member supplies the toner from the toner cartridge onto the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing body, thereby developing the latent image. Then, the transfer member transfers the toner image from the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing body to a recording medium. As a result, an image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed on the recording medium. [0004] In the image forming apparatus of this type, a bias voltage has to be applied to various components, such as the developing roller, the transfer roller, and a charger. The charger is for applying an electric charge uniformly to the photosensitive body. [0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-327288 proposes applying, from the main body of the image forming apparatus, bias voltages to a cartridge, in which the photosensitive body, the developing roller and the transfer roller are mounted. [0006] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-305629 proposes providing an electrode on one end of a cartridge that installs a developing roller therein, and providing another electrode in the main body of the image forming apparatus. These electrodes are brought into abutment contact with each other when the cartridge is set in the main body. SUMMARY [0007] It is assumed that a first electrode for applying a bias voltage to the charger is located near the electrostatic latent image bearing body and that a second electrode for applying a bias voltage to the developing member is provided near to the first electrode. In such a case, however, leakage will possibly occur between the first and second electrodes. This problem is severe especially when the image forming apparatus is made compact. [0008] In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge, and a development cartridge that can reliably prevent leakage. [0009] In order to attain the above and other objects, the invention provides an image forming apparatus, including: an electrostatic latent image bearing member; a toner cartridge; a developing member; a transfer member; a development cartridge; a development contact; and electrical connection units. The electrostatic latent image bearing member has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner cartridge contains toner. The developing member supplies the toner from the toner cartridge onto the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The transfer member transfers the toner image from the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member to a recording medium. The toner cartridge is removably coupled to the development cartridge. The development cartridge incorporates at least the developing member. The development contact is provided on the toner cartridge and is configured to receive a voltage to be applied to the developing member. The electrical connection units are provided on the toner cartridge and the development cartridge, respectively, and apply the voltage from the development contact to the developing member when the toner cartridge and the development cartridge are coupled to each other. [0010] According to another aspect, the invention provides a toner cartridge which is removably attachable to a development cartridge that includes a developing member, the toner cartridge including: a casing defining a toner containing portion containing a toner therein; and a development contact which is provided on the casing and which is configured to be electrically connectable with the developing member of the development cartridge. [0011] According to another aspect, the invention provides a development cartridge including: a toner-cartridge-holding portion that removably holds a toner cartridge that contains toner therein; a developing member that supplies toner from the toner cartridge to a surface of an electrostatic latent image bearing member, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; and an electrical connection unit which is provided on the toner-cartridge-holding portion. The electrical connection unit is electrically connected to the toner cartridge to apply a voltage to the developing member when the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner-cartridge-holding portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Illustrative aspects in accordance with the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures wherein: [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laser printer according to an illustrative aspect of the invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the laser printer, illustrating how a lid of the laser printer is opened; [0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the laser printer, illustrating how a sheet cassette is pulled out of the main body of the laser printer; [0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the laser printer, taken along a line IV-IV in FIG. 2, showing the internal structure thereof; [0017] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the laser printer, illustrating how a photosensitive-drum cartridge, a development cartridge, and a toner cartridge are removed, as an integral unit, from the main body of the laser printer; [0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the laser printer, illustrating how the toner cartridge is disconnected from the development cartridge; [0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the laser printer, illustrating how only the toner cartridge is removed from the main body of the laser printer; Continue reading about Image forming apparatus, toner cartridge, and development cartridge... 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